Description of Sarus crane – Grus antigone – Saras

Sarus crane – Grus antigone complete detail. Description of Sarus crane – Grus antigone – Saras. Classification of Sarus crane. Habit and habitat of Sarus crane. They prefer wetlands areas. They also found in cultivated areas, canals, ponds, and marshes. During dry season, Sarus Crane is found in shallow wetlands, cultivated fields, and wet grasslands. They roost in shallow water, where they may be safe from some ground predators.

The sarus crane is the tallest flying bird in the world, standing at a height of up to 180 cm. Size of adult Sarus crane is between 140 to 160 cm. The overall body color is grey or dirty white. The upper neck and head is bright red in color. They have predominantly grey plumage. The bill is pointed, long and strong, the color of bill is paler grey or dirty white. The legs are also long and strong, and paler red or pinkish red in color.

They have unique paler white or dirty white ear patch on each side of the head. Eyes are dark brown. In flight, the long neck is kept straight, and the black wing tips can be seen, their legs trail behind them. Both sexes are similar, but male slightly larger than female. Young cranes are darker than adults, tinged with cinnamon. Head is covered with cinnamon-brown feathers…………..

Breeding pairs maintain territories that are defended from other cranes using a large repertoire of calls and displays. They usually breeds during the monsoon season (July to October). During the mating season both male and female dance around each other.

Distinctive Identification

Sarus crane is a Schedule – IV bird, according to wildlife (Protection) act, 1972 and classified as Vulnerable (VU) by the IUCN.

The sarus crane is the tallest flying bird in the world, standing at a height of up to 180 cm. Size of adult Sarus crane is between 140 to 160 cm. The weight of adult is between 5.0 to 8.4 kg. They have a wingspan of 200 to 280 cm.

The overall body color is grey or dirty white. The upper neck and head is bright red in color. The bare red skin of the adult’s head and neck is brighter during the breeding season.

They have black hair like bristles cover the upper throat and neck. The crown of Sarus crane is grey or dirty white.

They have predominantly grey plumage. The bill is pointed, long and strong, the color of bill is paler grey or dirty white. The legs are also long and strong, and paler red or pinkish red in color.

They have unique paler white or dirty white ear patch on each side of the head. Eyes are dark brown. In flight, the long neck is kept straight, and the black wing tips can be seen, their legs trail behind them.

Both sexes are similar, but male slightly larger than female. Young cranes are darker than adults, tinged with cinnamon. Head is covered with cinnamon-brown feathers.

Classification

Common Name – Sarus crane

Local Name – Saras

Zoological Name – Grus antigone

Kingdom – Animalia

Phylum – Chordata

Class – Aves

Order – Gruiformes

Family – Gruidae

Genus – Grus

Conservational Status – Schedule – IV, according to wildlife (Protection) act, 1972 and classified as Vulnerable (VU) by the IUCN.

Distribution

They found in India Subcontinent, Pakistan, Nepal, South-east Asia, and Australia.

In India, they found in West Bengal, Assam, Gujarat, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. Sarus crane also found in Bihar and Rajasthan.

Habit and habitat

They prefer wetlands areas. Sarus crane also found in cultivated areas, canals, ponds, and marshes. During dry season, Sarus Crane is found in shallow wetlands, cultivated fields, and wet grasslands. They roost in shallow water, where they may be safe from some ground predators.

Sarus Cranes are social birds. They usually seen in pairs or small family groups, sometime large groups. Non-breeding birds stay in flocks until they are able to find partners and set up a breeding territory.